GB2529830A

GB2529830A - Display Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2529830A
Application number: GB1415541.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Rogan
Original assignee: ADBUGS Ltd
Current assignee: ADBUGS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Also published as: GB201415541D0

Abstract

A display apparatus for a banner 12 comprises a frame formed from a set of frame components 32A, 32B and rail components 20A, 20B engaging with respective frame components. The rail components include retaining means for retaining the banner, e.g. in the form of a channel for a bead 26, e.g. keder, provided along the edges of the banner. The rail component includes a pivot 30 received in a seat 44 on the frame for pivoting movement of the rail so that the retaining means is moved in a direction that is substantially in the plane of the banner to tension it. Formations 34, 36 may be provided to retain the rail against the frame so that the banner remains taut, the formations comprising cooperating male and female formations, e.g. rib 34 and groove 36. Corner covers (46, Fig. 1) may be provided for covering the ends of the frame components. The frame components may be fixed to a wall to form a billboard or they may be incorporated into a lightbox such that the banner is backlit.

Description

Display Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to display apparatus. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to display apparatus for advertisements.

Background to the Invention

Traditionally, advertising billboards comprise a frame surrounding a space for receiving a paper poster. The posters are pasted onto the billboard and usually consist of multiple sheets that have to be carefully matched to create the desired image. Not only is this time consuming, but the paper posters are susceptible to peeling and wrinkling especially in adverse weather conditions.

It would be desirable to provide a display apparatus that mitigates the problems outlined above.

Summary of the Invention

From a first aspect the invention provides a display apparatus for displaying a banner, the apparatus comprising: a frame defining a substantially planar display area for said banner; and at least one rail component that includes retaining means for retaining a respective portion of said banner, wherein said at least one rail component includes a pivot for pivotably coupling said at least one rail component to said frame for pivoting movement with respect to said frame in which said retaining means is moved in a lateral direction that is substantially in, or substantially parallel with, the plane in which said planar display area lies.

In preferred embodiments, said frame comprises at least one set of frame components, the or each set comprising a respective first frame component for said pivotable coupling with a respective first one of said at least one rail components, and a respective second frame component oppositely disposed in said frame to said respective first frame component, said second frame component including anchoring means for securing a respective second portion of said banner to said respective second frame component, and wherein said lateral direction of movement of said retaining means is substantially towards or away from said respective second frame component depending on the sense of said pivoting movement Preferred features are recited in the claims appended hereto and further advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a display apparatus embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a preferred frame component and a preferred rail component being part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1, showing oppositely disposed assemblies of frame and rail components with a banner held between them; and Figure 4 is a side view of the part of the apparatus shown in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown generally indicated as 10 a display apparatus embodying one aspect of the invention. The apparatus 10 is particularly suited for displaying a banner 12, e.g. an advertising banner. The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 14 defining a substantially planar display area 16 forthe banner 12. In use, the banner 12 is held in the display area 16, under tension, such that its obverse face 18 is displayed. The obverse face 18 typically carries visual message, e.g. image(s) and/or text, that is to be displayed.

The apparatus 10 includes at least one rail component 20 that includes retaining means 22 for retaining a respective portion, preferably a respective side, of the banner 12. The preferred retaining means comprises a channel 24 shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain a bead 26. The channel 24 has an open mouth 28 extending in an end-to-end direction of the channel 24. Typically the channel 24 has a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section. The channel 24 is advantageously open one or both ends to facilitate insertion and removal of the bead 26.

In preferred embodiments, the rail component 20 is provided at a respective side of the frame 14 and preferably extends along substantially the entire length of the respective side. The rail component 20 is therefore elongate and may conveniently be formed by extrusion of any suitable material, typically metal or plastics. The channel 24 and the open mouth 26 preferably extend along the length of the rail 20, preferably from end-to-end, substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the rail 20. In typical embodiments, the apparatus 10 includes a respective rail component 20 for at least two opposing sides of the frame, preferably for each side of the frame 14. Typically, the frame 14 is substantially rectangular and the preferred apparatus 10 comprises four rail components 20, one at each side of the frame 14.

In use, the banner 12 is located in the display area 16 and is removably retained by the retaining means 22. To this end, in preferred embodiments the bead 26 is provided on the banner 12, preferably along a respective side of the banner 12, in particular along a respective side of the obverse face 18. The bead 26 is typically elongate and preferably runs along substantially the entire length of the respective side. The bead 26 may be fixed to the banner 12 by any convenient means.

For example, a side portion of the banner 12 may be wrapped around the bead 26 and fixed in place in any suitable manner, e.g. stitching, welding or adhesive. Alternatively, the bead 26 may be integrally formed with the banner 12. In preferred embodiments, a respective bead 26 is provided along at least two opposing sides of the banner 12, more preferably along each side of the banner 12. Typically, the banner 12 is substantially rectangular.

When the bead 26 is located in the channel 24, the banner 12 extends through the mouth 28. The dimensions of the mouth 28 and the bead 26 are such that the bead 26 is retained in the channel 28, i.e. cannot pass though the mouth 28. Conveniently, the bead 26, with the banner attached, can be removably inserted into the channel 24 via an open end of the channel 24. The preferred retaining means 22 may be referred to as a keder channel, or track, and the preferred bead 26 is a corresponding keder bead. In alternative embodiments, any other convenient retaining device may be used, e.g. clips or studs.

The banner 12 is preferably formed from a stretchable resilient material, for example a polymeric material, e.g. nylon, or fabric. The bead 26 may be formed from any suitable material, e.g. a polymeric material, rubber, metal, rope or wire.

Each rail component 20 includes a pivot 30 for pivotably coupling the rail component 20 to the frame 14. When coupled, the rail component 20 is capable of pivoting movement (illustrated by arrow B in Figure 2) with respect to the frame in which the retaining means 22 is moved in a lateral direction (indicated by arrow A in Figure 4) that is substantially in, or substantially parallel with, the plane in which said planar display area 16 lies. In The respective side of the banner 12 runs substantially perpendicular with the lateral direction A, and in preferred embodiments the longitudinal axis of the channel 24 and bead 26 run substantially perpendicular with the lateral direction A. In typical embodiments, the frame 14 comprises at least one set of frame components 32, each frame component 32 corresponding to a respective side of the frame 14. Each set comprises a respective first frame component 32A for pivotably coupling with a respective rail component 20A, and a respective second frame component 32B oppositely disposed in the frame 14 to the respective first frame component 32A. The second frame component 32B includes anchoring means for securing a respective second portion, typically the opposite side to that retained by the rail component 20A, of the banner 12 to the respective second frame component 32B. The lateral direction A of movement of the retaining means 22A is substantially towards or away from the respective second frame component 32B depending on the sense of the pivoting movement B. Because the banner 12 is secured with respect to the second frame component 32B, pivoting movement of the rail 20A that causes the retaining means 22 to move away from the second frame component 32B (i.e. upwardly in direction A as viewed in Figure 4) tends to deploy and ultimately stretch the banner 20.

The anchoring means may take any convenient form. For example, it may comprise retaining means the same or similar to retaining means 22, provided on the second frame component 32B, in which case the respective side of the banner 12 may be correspondingly beaded, or it may comprise any other convenient conventional retaining device, e.g. clips or studs. In preferred embodiments, the anchoring means comprises a respective rail component 20B that is preferably the same or similar to the rail component 20A, and which may be removable from or fixed to the respective frame component 32B. In cases where it is fixed, it may be fixed in its tensioning state.

In any event, during use the banner 12 is held under tension between one or more of the sets of frame components 32. More particularly, the spacing between the frame components 32 in a set is matched to the relevant dimension of the banner 12 to allow the banner 12 to be held under tension when a tensioning state is adopted. In preferred embodiments, the frame 14 comprises first and frame component sets, orthogonally disposed with respect to one another so that the banner 12 may be held under tension along respective first and second orthogonal axes (up-and-down and left-to-right as viewed in Figure 1).

Each rail component 20 is pivotable with respect to the frame 14, and in particular with respect to the respective frame component 32, about the pivot 30 into and out of a tensioning state (shown in Figures 3 and 4). The pivoting movement of the respective rail component 20 into the tensioning state causes outward lateral movement (in direction A) of the respective retaining means 22 with respect to the display area 16. For example, as viewed in Figure 1, the retaining means 22 of the rail component 20 at the top of the frame 14 moves upwardly into its tensioning state, the retaining means 22 of the rail component 20 at the bottom of the frame 14 moves downwardly into its tensioning state, the retaining means 22 of the rail component 20 at the left side of the frame 14 moves leftwards into its tensioning state, and the retaining means 22 of the rail component 20 at the right side of the frame 14 moves rightwards into its tensioning state. Hence, in the tensioning state, the retaining means 22 adopts a respective relatively outward, preferably outward-most, lateral position with respect to the display area 16.

When the opposite side of the banner 12 is secured with respect to the opposite side of the frame 14 (which preferred embodiments is effected by a respective rail component 20 coupled to the opposite side of the banner 12 and to the opposite frame component 32 and in a corresponding tensioning state), moving the rail component 20 into the tensioning state brings the banner 12 into tension along the respective axis. Typically this involves some (although typically small) stretching of the banner 12, the resilience of the banner 12 facilitating the tensioning of the banner 12.

S

In preferred embodiments, the apparatus 10 includes tensioning state retaining means for retaining the respective rail component 20 in its tensioning state. The preferred tensioning state retaining means comprises mutually engagable male and female retaining formations, one being formed on the frame 14, typically on the respective frame component 32, the other being formed on the respective rail component 20. Preferably, the male formation comprises a rib 34 and the female formation comprises a corresponding groove 36 for releasably engaging with the rib 34. The formations 34, 36 preferably extend along substantially the entire length of the respective rail 20 or frame component 32.

In preferred embodiments, either one of the rib 34 or groove 36 is provided on a resiliently flexible retaining part 38 of the rail component 20, the other being provided on a surface 40 of the frame 14 (typically the respective frame component 32), preferably a surface that is substantially perpendicularly disposed to the plane in which the display area 16 lies. When the rail component 20 is in the tensioning state, the formations 34, 36 engage with one another to retain the rail component 20 in the tensioning state. The flexible resilience of the retaining part 38 facilitates engagement and disengagement of the formations 34, 36.

In preferred embodiments, the rail component 20 comprises a body 42 that includes the pivot 30, the retaining means 22 and the retaining part 38. The retaining means 22 is typically located between the pivot 30 and the retaining part 38. The retaining part 38 may be substantially L-shaped in transverse cross-section, having a distal limb 39 that carries the retaining formation 34 or 36 and which engages with the surface 40 of the frame 14 when the rail component 20 is in the tensioning state. Typically, the retaining formation on the limb 39 is provided on an inner surface of the limb 39 and the surface 40 is an outer surface of the frame 14, the inner surface of the limb 39 at least partly covering the surface 40 in the tensioning state.

In preferred embodiments, the frame 14, in particular the respective frame component 32, includes a seat 44 for removably and pivotably receiving the pivot 30 of the respective rail component 20. The rail component 20 is pivotably coupled to the frame 14 by engagement of the pivot 30 in the seat 44.

The pivot 30 may comprise a rounded formation on the body 42, and the seat 44 may be correspondingly rounded to facilitate pivoting movement of the body 42 about the pivot 30. In preferred embodiments, the pivot 30 and the seat 44 are elongate, preferably extending along substantiallythe entire length of the rail component 20 and frame component 32 respectively.

In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the rail component is pivotably connected to the respective frame component at the pivot, the pivot for example comprising a hinge.

In any event, the pivoting movement of the rail component 20 is about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the respective lateral direction of movement of the respective retaining means 22.

Typically, the pivot 30 and retaining means 22 are mutually spaced apart on the body 42 of the rail 20, and pivoting movement about the pivot 30 causes the retaining means 22 to move in an arc (as illustrated by arrow B in Figure 2). It will be apparent that movement in the arc includes movement in the respective lateral direction A. Preferred embodiments of the apparatus 10 may be used as follows. One side, conveniently the top side, of the banner 12 is anchored tothe frame 14, preferablythe top side of the frame, first. This involves sliding the respective bead 26 into the respective channel 24 of the respective retaining means 22. In embodiments where the respective retaining means 22 is provided on a removable and/or movable rail 20, the rail 20 is mounted on the respective frame component 32 (if necessary) and moved to its tensioning state. Once anchored at this first side (preferably the top side), the banner 12 is anchored to the frame 14 at one or other adjacent side (preferably the left or right side).

This involves sliding the respective bead 26 into the respective channel 24 of the respective retaining means 22 of the respective rail component, inserting the respective pivot 30 into the respective seat 44 (unless the rail component is already coupled to the frame component, e.g. by a hinge) and moving the rail 20 into the tensioning state. Next, the respective opposite sides (preferably the bottom side and the right or left side as applicable) of the banner 12 are coupled to the respective side of the frame 14. This involves sliding the respective bead 26 into the respective channel 24 of the respective retaining means 22 of the respective rail component, inserting the respective pivot 30 into the respective seat 44 (unless the rail component is already coupled to the frame component, e.g. by a hinge) and moving the rail 20 into the tensioning state. As a result, the banner 12 is held under tension along two orthogonal axes, each of which lies in the plane of the banner 12.

To remove the banner 12, two adjacent rail components 20 (e.g. the one at the bottom side and the one at the right or left side) are moved out of the tensioning state to release the tension in the banner 12. The rail components 20 may be removed from the respective frame components 32 (if applicable) and the respective side of the banner 12 removed from the respective retaining means 22.

In preferred embodiments, the apparatus 10 includes one or more covers 46 for covering the ends of the rail components 20 and frame components 32 when in the tensioning state. In preferred embodiments, each cover 46 is configured to cover the respective ends of a respective two adjacent rail components 20 and the respective corresponding end of the respective frame component 32, typically at a respective corner of the frame 14. As such each cover 46 may take the form of a corner component of the frame 14, and is typically secured in place by any convenient releasable fixing device, e.g. a screw or bolt, which may be lockable. The covers 46 serve to prevent unwanted removal of the banner 12 from the frame 14.

In one mode of use, the apparatus 10 may be fixed to a support structure (not shown), for example a wall or hoarding, by any convenient fixing means and serve as a billboard. In this mode, the frame 14 is mounted to the support structure and banners are installed and removed as desired.

In an alternative mode of use, the apparatus 10 may be incorporated into a light box (not illustrated) such that the banner 12 is backlit, in use, by the light source of the light box.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that preferred embodiments of the invention enable banners 12 to be installed, removed and replaced quickly and easily. The banners 12 may comprise a single piece of material which, along with the tensioning of the banner, improves the quality of the displayed information. Moreover, the banner is advantageously formed from material that is not readily susceptible to weathering.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A display apparatus for displaying a banner, the apparatus comprising: a frame defining a substantially planar display area for said banner; and at least one rail component that includes retaining means for retaining a respective portion of said banner, wherein said at least one rail component includes a pivot for pivotably coupling said at least one rail component to said frame for pivoting movement with respect to said frame in which said retaining means is moved in a lateral direction that is substantially in, or substantially parallel with, the plane in which said planar display area lies.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises at least one set of frame components, the or each set comprising a respective first frame component for said pivotable coupling with a respective first one of said at least one rail components, and a respective second frame component oppositely disposed in said frame to said respective first frame component, said second frame component including anchoring means for securing a respective second portion of said banner to said respective second frame component, and wherein said lateral direction of movement of said retaining means is substantially towards or away from said respective second frame component depending on the sense of said pivoting movement.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said anchoring means comprises a respective second one of said at least one rail components that includes retaining means for retaining said respective second portion of said banner, wherein said second rail component includes a pivot for pivotably coupling said second rail component to said respective second frame component for pivoting movement with respect to said respective second frame component in which said retaining means is moved in a direction that is substantially in, or substantially parallel with, the plane in which said planar display area lies.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, comprising first and second instances of said frame component set, orthogonally disposed with respect to one another.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said frame is substantially rectangular.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said at least one rail component is pivotable with respect to said frame about said pivot into and out of a tensioning state, and wherein said pivoting movement of said at least one rail component into said tensioning state causes outward lateral movement of said retaining means with respect to said display area.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, in said tensioning state, said retaining means adopts a relatively outward, preferably outward-most, lateral position with respect to said display area.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 or 7, further including retaining means for retaining said at least one rail component in said tensioning state.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said tensioning state retaining means comprises mutually engagable male and female retaining formations, one being formed on said frame the other being formed on said at least one rail component.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said male formation comprises a rib and said female formation comprises a corresponding groove for releasably engaging the rib.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein said male or female formation is provided on a resiliently flexible part of said at least one rail component.
12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to ii, wherein said male or female formation is provided on a surface of said frame that is substantially perpendicularly disposed to the plane in which said display area lies.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 tol 2, wherein one or other of said male and female retaining formations is provided on a retaining part of a body of said at least one rail, said body including said retaining part being pivotable about said pivot into and out of engagement with a retaining part of said frame on which the other of said male and female retaining formations is provided.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said retaining means is provided on said body between said retaining part and said pivot.
15. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said frame includes a seat for removably and pivotably receiving said pivot, said at least one rail component being pivotably coupled to said frame by engagement of said pivot in said seat.
16. The apparatus claim 15, wherein said pivot comprises a rounded formation and said seat is correspondingly rounded.
17. The apparatus of any one of claims Ito 14, wherein said at least one rail component is pivotably connected to said frame at said pivot, said pivot for example comprising a hinge.
18. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said pivoting movement is about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to said lateral direction of movement.
19. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said pivot and said retaining means are provided on a body of said at least one rail, and are mutually spaced apart on the body, said pivoting movement about said pivot causing said retaining means to move in an arc, said movement in the arc including said movement in said lateral direction.
20. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said retaining means comprises a channel shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain a bead and having an open mouth extending in an end-to-end direction of the channel.
21. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein said channel has a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein said channel has a longitudinal axis running substantially parallel with said lateral direction.
23. The apparatus of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein said channel is open at at least one end.
24. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further including said banner located in said display area and removably retained by said retaining means of said at least one rail component.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said retaining means removably retains a respective side of said banner.
26. The apparatus of claim 24 or 25, wherein said banner is held under tension between one or more of said sets of frame components.
27. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein said banner includes a respective bead extending along at least one of its sides, preferably at least one pair of opposite sides, and more preferably all of its sides.
28. The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein said banner is formed from resiliently stretchable material.
29. The apparatus of any preceding claim, further including a respective cover for covering at least one end of said at least one rail component.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said respective cover is configured to cover at least one end of said at least one rail component and the corresponding end of the respective frame component.
31. The apparatus of claim 29 or 30, wherein said respective cover is configured to cover the respective ends of a respective two adjacent rail components, and preferably the respective corresponding end of the respective frame component.
32. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said respective cover comprises a corner component of said frame.
33. A billboard comprising an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.
34. A light box comprising an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.